Finding Strength In Jazz, Gospel

FAITH AND FELLOWSHIP

Even with God on her side, veteran performer Gwenath Douglas still gets a little nervous when it comes to singing onstage.

``Just a little,'' said a laughing Douglas, 43, who on Saturday will debut songs from a new album at the Sheraton Hartford Hotel in East Hartford.

Douglas, who started out singing in her church choir at the age of 6, has recently released her second cassette album, ``Triumph, My Life Story.'' It is a collection of traditional gospel and jazz songs that reflect her triumph over a rape at age 12, alcoholism, an abusive relationship and homelessness.

Having always wanted to be a gospel singer, Douglas supported herself by working as a secretary, bank employee, children's counselor and currently as a paraprofessional, while singing at churches, schools, community events and in front of her four children.

On Saturday, Douglas, of Hartford, will perform at the hotel with a jazz band that features Paul Brown and also disc jockey Errol Lee.

Admission for the 8 p.m. black-tie affair is $35 for adults and $15 for children 10 to 16.

Douglas released her first cassette album, ``Songs of Old,'' about four years ago.

For ticket information on the performance, call 860-547-1820.

The album can be purchased from Triumph Warrior of Praise Evangelistic Association, P.O. Box 2667, Hartford, CT 06146.

When he left town three years ago, Brother Sebastian was the ice cream man. Now he returns to Hartford as the Rev. Sebastian Fileccia.

Three years ago, the hairdressing playboy-turned-Christian soldier sold his Full Gospel Cafe, an ice cream and sandwich shop on Wethersfield Avenue.

Fileccia, who lives in Bristol, has since started his own church, Saved by Grace Church in Bristol. He returns to Hartford's Bushnell Park April 18, when he will participate in a march and worship service.

The Good Friday event is designed to remind people why Christ was crucified, Fileccia said.

Fileccia said what he misses most about the leaving Hartford is the youths who attended his weekly Bible studies.

``They were a blessing,'' he said.

The event will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. near the park's carousel.

For information, call Fileccia at 860-583-6932.

When you hear of the big ``Three-O,'' some may think of the beginning of sore joints and gray hair.

Not Katrina Woodhouse, a member of Grace Episcopal Church in Windsor, who is helping organize a performance by ``Three-O: a trio of flute, viola harp.''

The classical performing group features flutist Theresa Norris, viola player David Feltner and harpist Andre Tarantiles, who plays for the Metropolitan Opera Guild.

The group will give a two-hour concert that will include a sonata written by Robert Smith, the church's director of music.

``We're really excited about this,'' Woodhouse said.

A reception will follow the 4 p.m. concert at the church, 311 Broad St., in Windsor.

Admission is $7 for adults and $5 for students and senior citizens.

For information, call 860-688-1232.

Some take their eggs over-easy, hard-boiled, fried or poached.

Cathy Vargas takes hers raw and with a lot of color -- a dozen types, in fact.

Pysanky, or egg decorating, is a Ukrainian tradition that is popular among members and friends of All Saints Orthodox Church, where Vargas is a member.

The ``Egg-Stravaganza and Food Festival'' will be held Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the church, 205 Scarborough St. Decorating items, both ethnic and non-ethnic, will be sold along with specialty breads and flowers.

The pre-Easter fair will offer more of a selection of ethnic and non-ethnic food, said Vargas, who has been decorating eggs for about 10 years.

Lenten luncheon fare also will be offered.

``That's what people come for, the ethnic food,'' said Vargas, who will help prepare a selection of pierogi, stuffed cabbage and borscht.

The egg-decorating classes will be held from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 1 to 3:30 p.m. The cost is $20, including materials.

To register for a class, call Vargas at 860-721-0280.

To submit an item for the Faith and Fellowship column, please call Johnny Mason at 860-241-3216, fax it to him at 860-241-3865, or write to The Hartford Courant, 285 Broad St., Hartford CT 06115